Year: 2009

You may have already won

I’ve posted the winners of Selah’s You Deliver Me CD on my giveaway page. Click on over there to see who won.
Edition 63: Fashion Friday

A reader sent me an email earlier this week to let me know that Banana Republic is selling skinny jeans with zippers at the ankles and she wanted to break the news to me gently. Unfortunately, she was too late because earlier that morning I’d clicked over to Banana Republic to see if they had anything on sale and right there on the main page of their site, in front of God and everyone, was this photo.

You know why that model is lying down like that? Because that’s the only way those jeans actually look decent. Of course in all fairness they probably look pretty good on her because she just ate half a lettuce leaf for lunch followed by a wee slice of apple and, man, is she stuffed.

The sight of those zippered ankles made me reminisce about my favorite pair of jeans in 8th grade. They were Guess pinstriped (oh the horror) jeans with a zippered ankle. When I walked down the halls of Marshall Middle School wearing those jeans with my huaraches, it was best to just get out of my way because I worked that look with an attitude that only an awkward 13 year old could.

Anyway, I totally should have saved those jeans because they are back in style. Well, minus the pinstripes. But they were probably a size 24 waist since I had yet to hit puberty, so I guess the only purpose they’d serve would be to hang around in my closet and look chic (chick).

I have a theory that all these horrific fashion flashbacks to the 80’s are coming back around because today’s designers are mere babies who were born in a year I vividly remember. A year where I already had a drivers’ license and listened to Duran Duran while wondering how long it would be before Simon Le Bon would discover there was a teenage girl in Beaumont, Texas who wanted to marry him and move to the UK and host great karoke parties where all our friends would sit around and sing “Hungry Like the Wolf” or “Reflex” while we laughed at the irony.

My point is that most of today’s designers were wearing onesies the last time zippered leg jeans and large shoulder pads were in style and don’t understand that they went out of style for a reason. A very good reason.

Okay, now that I’ve sufficiently rambled, here are the remaining six trends for fall. If you miss the first four from last week, then click over to Edition 62 to catch up.

5. Boyfriend blazer

I cannot express how much I loved the boyfriend blazers back in the late 80’s/early 90’s. They completed me, especially the one I bought from The Limited with super cool gold buttons. In fact, the only time a blazer let me down was when I decided to wear a red one from the Gap with jeans and a denim shirt (bless my heart) to an A&M football game. We were playing SMU and in an unfortunate turn of events I was dressed just like the SMU band. It was years before I recovered from the horror.

There are several different kinds of boyfriend blazers to choose from. The important thing is to find one that’s flattering and doesn’t make you look frumpy.

Also, it’s important to remember that blazers can be taken in on the sides for a better fit and sleeves can be hemmed if they’re too long, but there’s nothing you can do to change where the shoulder of the blazer hits. Make sure you get a good fit through the shoulders and that it’s roomy enough for you to move around without looking like Mr. Roboto.

Domo Arigato.

6. The Sheath Dress

I honestly can’t remember the last time I bought a dress because I have a shockingly empty social calendar, which is fine with me because there’s a good show on Bravo every single night of the week and why would I want to go out when I can stay home in my pajamas and watch The Rachel Zoe Project or Top Chef?

But, truthfully, if I still worked for the evil pharmaceutical empire, I would be all over this trend. There is nothing easier than just throwing on a dress and calling it a miserable day of schlepping Starbucks to various doctors’ offices.

Here are some sheath dresses that are perfect for the office.

And here are a few that would be great for dressier occasions, like a regatta gala.

Bon appetit.

I don’t know why I just said that.

7. Long cardigans

Am I in some sort of tricked-out Delorean that’s taking me to a place where I revisit the fashions of my youth?

The cardigan is tricky because you don’t want to look like a librarian, unless of course you are a librarian. Proceed with caution and try on several styles.

You could totally go old school with something like this or this or this.

Just make sure it’s not too fitted around the bottom area because I could write an entire doctoral thesis on the wrongs of having a garment cling to your booty.

Personally, I prefer this version of the long cardigan look. I also really like this one and this one.

And be still my ever lovin’ heart at this one that I adore from Anthropologie even though they never write or call.

8. Chains

Accessories really are the best way to make an outfit look up to date without spending a lot of money. This fall is all about the chain necklace.

Here are a few different chains to choose from.

9. Boots

Boots are going to be a staple again this year and I couldn’t be more thrilled because I have always been a huge fan of the boot because I suffer from chronic cold feet syndrome (it’s a real sickness, people) and they allow me to wear my warmest, ugliest socks and no one knows the difference.

Depending on your needs, there are boot styles that fit every need and budget.

10. Country influences

I know you’re thinking what in the world does that even mean? Well, it means what it means and I saved it for last because it is one of my favorite looks. The other night on The Rachel Zoe Project, Rachel said she’d like to be buried in head to toe Chanel. Maybe it’s my Texas roots, but I’d like to be buried in jeans, a great pair of boots and some fab turquoise jewelry.

Of course depending on your style, country can either mean “I’m on my way to the ranch” or “I’m on my way to our country estate in England where we’ll spend the weekend playing polo and drinking tea”. I think we all know which option I lean towards.

To get the look, you’ll need a good pair of jeans, a few plaid shirts or a white ruffled shirt, some cozy sweaters for layering, a great belt, turquoise jewelry, and cowboy boots. Lucky for you, this is the year to find cowboy boots in every price range and style.

You may also want a tweed vest, a classic jacket or some tall boots to wear with skinny jeans or leggings if you want to lean more towards the English countryside look. It may also help to adopt a British accent.

The key is to mix and match these pieces with other things in your wardrobe. Wear a long plaid shirt with skinny jeans tucked into boots or wear a long sweater with a cute belt and boots. Just add a few key pieces to your wardrobe to give it a little bit of country flair.

Or if you’re like Donny Osmond, you can just be a little bit rock and roll.

Maybe you could even wear purple socks.

How obsessed was I with Donny Osmond that I still remember that?

Y’all have a great Friday.
My American girl

Caroline got an American Girl doll from Mimi and Bops for her birthday this year. I decided that, along with her feminine pink .22, she and her doll needed some beautiful matching pajamas.

Unfortunately, either the American Girl website isn’t very clear with their sizing information or the Chinese manufacturers believe that American children are abnormally large because the pajamas we ordered in a size 6 were big enough to fit me.

And, honestly, I could have read the size chart wrong. I shouldn’t criticize China considering that we’re in 9 trillion dollars worth of debt to them, which is slightly more than I spend on jeans in a calendar year.

Anyway, the replacement pair arrived yesterday and Caroline had to put them on as soon as she got out of the bath last night. She even asked me to blow dry her hair so it would be shiny and straight just like her doll.

Doesn’t she look sweet?

You’d never know that, just an hour earlier, this same delicate little girl told her Bops that she thought the clouds looked like a shark eating a poodle.
I bet Moses never ate a meatball sandwich

I think this whole back to school schedule is wearing me out. It’s bad enough that we have to get up when it’s still semi-dark outside, but I’ve also discovered it’s going to be easier to get out of the car and walk her to school as opposed to waiting in a car drop-off line that, as far as I can tell, is merely a labyrinth that leads to unbridled road rage. Which means that the days of dropping her off while I’m in some version of my pajamas are over and I’m going to need to invest in some more “work out” clothes so my messy ponytail and no makeup will convey a message of concern for “physical fitness” as opposed to “just rolled out of bed and made what I hope was a ham sandwich and, seriously, are we even at the right school?”.

Why am I using so many quotation marks today? I’m like Matt Foley living in a van down by the river.

I don’t really have much to say unless you want to hear about how I ate Quaker Oat Squares for breakfast yesterday morning because I have officially burned myself out on yogurt and granola. It was bound to happen considering that I ate it for about forty-five days straight. And then I went to Borders to buy The Message translation of the Bible because I’ve decided to read through it in a year.

Actually, I read the Bible in a year in 2008 but it was the NIV version so I want to throw caution to the wind and shake things up a bit. I’m going to officially start on September 1st and am reading in chronological order. If you want to join me, please feel free. This is the link that I use to know what to read each day. It won’t be a book club thing necessarily, but from time to time I may be all “How about those crazy laws in Leviticus?” or something along those profound lines.

Also I realize reading the Bible in a year is hardly some grand accomplishment considering there are people who read it in ninety days or thirty-five minutes, but those people are called overachievers. I like to read in amounts that my brain can actually process.

I didn’t really mean to get into all that. The original point of this post (if there ever was one) was to share the recipe for my meatball sandwiches. I can honestly say they have been one of the high points of our summer and I intend to carry them with us into the fall because they are just so easy and delicious.

In fact, I gave the recipe to Sophie last week and we both agreed that our husbands are normally picky about eating leftovers but have no problem eating these for four days straight or until it’s all gone, whichever comes first.

Meatball Sandwiches

(I usually double this recipe because we like the leftovers and you can always turn it into spaghetti and meatballs if you get bored.)

1 pound ground beef
2 large eggs, beaten
1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce or homemade if you’re into that sort of thing
1 package of french bread sandwich rolls
Sliced mozzarella cheese
butter

In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef with the next 7 ingredients. Roll into meatballs approximately 3 inches or so in diameter and place on a cookie sheet. Bake for about 20 minutes at 350 degrees and then turn them and cook another five minutes.

Pour sauce into large pot on the stove. Add meatballs. Let simmer for about 30 minutes to 1 hour for extra flavor. (This totally isn’t necessary but my Me-Ma used to let her sauce simmer for about 5 hours on Sunday mornings and it makes it even more delicious.)

Place the sandwich rolls open and face up on a cookie sheet. Spread each one with plenty of butter. Broil them in the oven until they are slightly (SLIGHTLY) brown and then pull them out and cover them with as many mozzarella cheese slices as you feel are appropriate. (No one will judge you for superfluous mozzarella cheese) Place them back in the oven and broil them until the cheese is melted.

Slice the meatballs in half and place on the sandwich. You’ll use about 2 meatballs per sandwich. Pour a little bit of the sauce over the meatballs, close up your sandwich and eat until you’re slightly sick.

I wish I had some pictures to share but I just wasn’t that on the ball. It’s really all I can manage right now to be up and dressed in a presentable manner before 7:30 a.m.
Pretty in pink

Yesterday morning, P woke Caroline up about 6:45 a.m. and she went from being in a deep sleep to jumping on the bed in excitement in approximately three seconds. I made her a nutritious breakfast of Eggo frozen waffles while she got dressed and searched for the proper hair accessories. The whole routine only took about twenty minutes which was great until we realized we still had about twenty minutes before it was time to leave the house. Twenty minutes filled to the brim with just one question:

“IS IT TIME TO LEAVE YET?”

Or the variation:

“I’M READY TO GO! WHEN CAN WE LEAVE?”

Fortunately we had plenty of time to take a few back-to-school photos.

Bless her heart, it’s like she’s never seen a camera.

I just wish she’d come out of her shell and show some zest for life and self-confidence.

P and I walked her into school and she immediately found a friend. She dropped my hand and walked ahead of us, talking to her friend and I heard her say, “We should get together soon for a play date”. And then she pulled out her Blackberry so she could get it on the calendar. The social obligations that come with being a first grader are never-ending.

I got back to the house and started some laundry, ran the dishwasher, and cleaned up a little bit. Then I looked at the clock and it was only 8:35 a.m. Clearly I am going to need to find something to fill my days besides sitting on the couch watching Rachel Zoe marathons on Bravo and eating Gummie Sours, although it wasn’t a bad way to spend a Monday.

The only time I cried was when I went to HEB by myself and realized how much I missed my little shopping buddy. Which is ironic considering how many times this summer I had to threaten to put back everything in the cart, including the chocolate Pop-Tarts and Oreos, if she asked me for ONE MORE THING.

Then she’d be quiet for about fifteen seconds before asking, “Can I get a gumball before we leave?”

And I would be forced to launch into my lecture about having a grateful heart while silently singing the words to “Swing Low Sweet Chariots” because I felt sure I was about to have some kind of mental break and would need a band of angels to carry me home.

But yesterday I missed all of it. Not necessarily the part about the gumball, but I missed her running commentary on my grocery selections.

When I picked her up at the end of the day she was all smiles. Apparently, first grade is PERFECT and she can’t wait to go again, which works out since she has about 179 days or so left.

Also, on a totally different note but on the subject of PERFECT, I have a great giveaway right now on my Giveaways page. Click here to read all about it.
I’m going to need a box of Kleenex and Starbucks

Caroline starts first grade today. Just typing the words causes me tear up a little which makes perfect sense when you consider that I drove past the high school yesterday and got a little teary because oh my gosh she’ll be in high school in just eight years and sunrise and sunset and all that.

Yes, I’m enjoying this fragile emotional ledge on which I am perched. Thanks for asking.

The truth is that I am the one who feels melancholy about the end of summer. Caroline has been waiting to be an official first grader all summer long and spent most of the weekend speaking in ALL CAPS AND EXCLAMATION POINTS about all the great things that first grade will bring. She has never met a social situation that she doesn’t love, as opposed to her mama who sometimes wants to hide in a corner until it’s all over. But I don’t because then people would point and stare and ask “Who’s the crazy lady hiding in a corner?” and that would be awkward.

On Friday we met her teacher and she was every bit as fabulous as I thought she’d be. She has so much energy and personality, both of which are good traits to have when you’re in charge of wrangling seventeen first graders all day, every day.

When we walked in the classroom there was a stack of forms on each child’s desk that needed to be filled out. We also had to put up all their school supplies which totally stressed me out because what if I put the box of Kleenex in the wrong place and Caroline didn’t get credit for bringing in a box of Kleenex? What if I didn’t properly label her Crayola Markers and they end up in the wrong cubby? Do I put both boxes of Crayons in her school box or just one? Do I take them out of the boxes first or leave them in?

How on earth am I going to survive twelve years of this kind of stress?

I managed to get all the supplies in (Please, God) what I think were the right locations and began to fill out the forms on the desk. Most of it was basic information like how she’ll be picked up from school each day and if she usually brings her lunch or buys her lunch. I’m sad to say that after a brief love affair with the cafeteria food during the first two weeks of Kindergarten, she officially broke up with mass-produced cuisine and requires a homemade lunch each day, which means I have to get up ten minutes earlier each morning.

It normally doesn’t take me ten minutes to make a ham sandwich and stuff some chips in a Ziploc bag, but the early morning hour is not my friend and renders me unable to locate cheese slices that are right in front of my face.

Anyway, I was filling out the forms and got to a question that read, “What makes your child happy?” Since Caroline was right next to me, I decided to ask her instead of just writing down my initial response which was “To be loved and adored by her first grade teacher, having a friend to sit with at lunchtime, and being recognized as an incredibly special and wonderful child”. Because that might be a bit much.

So I turned to her and asked, “Hey, what makes you happy?”

She looked at me for about three seconds and replied, “Shooting pigs”.

Of course. Shooting pigs.

She is such a first grade girl cliche’.

Needless to say, I didn’t want to frighten her new teacher so I took the liberty of exchanging “shooting pigs” for “enjoys outdoor activities”.

It just sounds better; not to mention it won’t cause a visit to the school counselor on the first day of school.

On Sunday we spent most of the day getting everything ready for the first day. There were more forms to be filled out and we had to pick out what she was going to wear on the first day, a process that proved to be only slightly less tenuous than the Middle East peace talks and ended with me being totally mature and telling her I wasn’t sure why she wanted to look homeless on the first day of school.

P made the mistake of walking into her room in the midst of all the wardrobe strategy and I asked, “Why does a person have to have so many opinions about what they will and will not wear?”

He said, “The same reason you do”.

Oh, he’s good.

Ultimately, we found a compromise somewhere between the old, faded skirt and the precious red sundress.

Now I just have to figure out how to navigate the carpool lanes at the end of the day.

And hope that her Crayola markers were properly labeled.

And hope that the next twelve years don’t go by too fast.